Tag Archives: Seth Hallen

Pixelogic, a provider of localization and distribution services, has completed the acquisition of the creative services business unit of Sony DADC New Media Solutions, which specializes in 4K, UHD, HDR and IMF workflows for features and episodics. The move brings an expansion of Pixelogic’s significant services to the media and entertainment industry and provides additional capabilities, including experienced staff, proprietary technology and an extended footprint.

According to John Suh, co-president of Pixelogic, the acquisition “expands our team of expert media engineers and creative talent, extends our geographic reach by providing a fully established London operation and further adds to our capacity and capability within an expansive list of tools, technologies, formats and distribution solutions.”

Seth Hallen

Founded less than a year ago, Pixelogic currently employs over 240 worldwide and is led by industry veterans Suh and Rob Seidel. While the company is headquartered in Burbank, California, it has additional operations in Culver City, California, London and Cairo.

Sony DADC NMS Creative Services was under the direction of Seth Hallen, who joins Pixelogic as senior VP of business development and strategy. All Sony DADC NMS Creative Services staff, technology and operations are now part of Pixelogic. “Our business model is focused on the deep integration of localization and distribution services for movies and television products,” says Hallen. “This supply chain will require significant change in order to deliver global day and date releases with collapsed distribution windows, and by partnering closely with our customers we are setting out to innovate and help lead this change.”

The HPA has re-envisioned its Sales Career Resource Group (SCRG) meetings with a new format and a new location for its networking cocktail mixers.

“We’ve taken a disruptive approach to SCRG, reshaping and rethinking it,” explains HPA president Seth Hallen. “SCRG has always been a place where colleagues met and shared important information, and that will remain. It’s still going to be full of great content and conversations… almost everything else about it is changing!”

“SCRG is coming back, as an afternoon of high-impact information exchanges, at a new venue, ending with networking and drinks,” says Josh Wiggins, chair of SCRG. “But that’s the pragmatics. What’s fundamentally important is that it’s an entirely different kind of gathering, where expert-led tables feature the latest conversation on topics that everyone needs to explore and learn about. By going away from the traditional panel, Q&A and putting attendees in direct contact with table leads, it’s a livelier exchange and one that offers a ton of the latest information. And, of course, its great to have these conversations and then segue to a drink and further talk.”

The first event for SCRG is currently scheduled for early August at London Hotel in West Hollywood. It will feature table topics that include:
• IMF – For production, post and archive
• IMF – For delivery. How is it working for the buyers of all this great content?
• HDR Remaster – Can you re-master without creative (no director or colorist)?
• HDR Capture – Where’s my reference?
• Cloud & Rendering – How is it coming along?
• VR – Virtual reality in production and post
• VR – Virtual reality for delivery and consumption
• Archive – What needs archiving? How much bigger are these files getting? Serviceability? Archiving VR files?
• Audio – Interoperability for immersive audio
• Moore’s Law and transport of digital files
• Extras and complimentary content – Is it an extra the consumer needs or wants?
• Localization – Supply and demand and special cases, such as day and date needs

In a crowded conference room in Indian Wells, California, during the HPA Tech Retreat, HPA founding president Leon Silverman literally handed the baton to long-time board member Seth Hallen. The organization has also taken on a new name, the Hollywood Professional Association. More on that later.

Hallen, who joined the HPA board in 2007, is SVP of Global Creative Services at Sony DADC New Media Solutions. Silverman, who helped found the organization, will continue to serve on the board of directors in the newly created role of past president.

“It is a distinct honor to continue the important work that Leon has undertaken for this organization, and I am clearly dedicated to making the next phase of HPA a great one,” said Hallen. “Enabling our industry to evolve by fueling our community with ideas, opportunity and recognition remains our goal. I look forward to working with our incredibly talented and dedicated board and continuing our collaboration with our colleagues at SMPTE, and the staff, volunteers and community that are the heart and soul of HPA, as we build upon the work of the past 14 years and look toward the future.”

The HPA, which is now part of SMPTE, also announced newly elected board members, including Craig German, SVP Studio Post at NBCUniversal Media; Jenni McCormick, executive director of American Cinema Editors (ACE); and Chuck Parker, CEO of Sohonet. Newly elected board member Bill Roberts, CFO of Panavision, will assume treasurer responsibilities as Phil Squyres steps down from the post he has held since HPA’s founding. Squyres will remain on the board.

Wendy Aylsworth, past president of SMPTE, was named SMPTE representative. Barbara Lange serves as executive director of SMPTE and HPA. The new Board members join Mark Chiolis, Carolyn Giardina, Vincent Maza, Kathleen Milnes, Loren Nielsen and VP Jerry Pierce on the HPA board.

In commenting on the new HPA name, executive director Lange noted, “The nature of the work and responsibilities that our community is engaged in has changed, and will continue to change. After carefully exploring how to address this growth, it became clear that Professional more accurately and inclusively identifies the creative talent, content holders and global infrastructure of services, as well as emerging processes and platforms. As an organization, we are dedicated to seeing beyond the horizon to the wider future, and bringing a wide array of individuals and companies into the organization. Our new name and identity makes that statement.”